updated 05:00 pm EST, Tue March 3, 2009

Sakar outs Vivitar cameras

At the PMA show in Las Vegas today, Sakar has debuted a range of Vivitar-branded digital and video cameras and matching add-ons. The new products represent the first to be released from the brand since it was purchased by Sakar last year. The Vivitar V8400P is an 8.1-megapixel shooter capable of taking photos at depths up to 30 feet. It has an 8x digital zoom and a 2.4-inch LCD screen. The 32MB of internal memory can be expanded via an SD memory card slot. The shockproof camera can capture videos and will cost just short of $130 when it is released.

The Vivitar DVR840XHD camcorder sports a 5-megapixel sensor and is said to be capable of recording high definition videos. It has a 5x optical zoom and image stabilization, with users interfacing with it on a 3-inch TFT display. On SD memory cards, it can store and play back MP3 and MP4 files as well as recording sounds. It will be priced at nearly $250.

The ultra-thin Vivitar V8025 digital camera sports a 2.4-inch touchscreen display and an 8-megapixel camera. There is an 8x digital zoom, image stabilization and a face-detection feature. Photos are stored on an SD memory card. PictBridge compatibility allows for PC-free printing to compatible printers. Pricing is set at $99.

As for accessories, Vivitar is displaying a range of Series 1 lenses for DSLRs, ranging from an 85mm F1.4A spherical lens to 500mm and 800mm F8.0 zoom lenses. There is also a 650-1300mm super telephoto lens that mounts with a universal ring for compatibility with both SLR and DSLR cameras. Prices range from around $150 to $400.

Vivitar Series 1 flashes for DSLRs have also been unveiled, including the DF-283 bounce, zoom and swivel AF flash along with the DF-383 LCD display flash. Either can be ordered to be compatible with Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax or Panasonic DSLR cameras. The flashes are priced at $130 and $200, respectively.

The company has finally released the Ultimate Smart LCD charger, which is said to be compatible with more than 300 batteries from all kinds of brands and meant for cameras, camcorders, cellphones, PDAs and GPS systems. It can be set to 100V or 240V systems for different countries and can be plugged into car chargers. Its price is set at nearly $50.

"outs" usually means "announces that they are g**". Or, prior to it being associated with homosexuality, it tended to mean "announces some disreputable behaviour". Perhaps therefore Sakar "announced" rather than "outed" these products?